without raising tax rates. >> reporter: and the president today offered this warning to republicans. amid reports they may accept mr. obama's plan to extend tax cuts for most americans while allowing them to go up for the richest, and start the fight all over again during debt limit talks early next year. >> that is a bad strategy for america. it is a bad strategy for your businesses. and it is not a game that i will play. >> reporter: and brian, tonight, the white house is preparing in case the country does go over that fiscal cliff, budget officials have asked all federal agencies for information that they need in case of possible plans in case of those automatic spending cuts that could go in place in just 27 days. >> peter alexander at the white house for us tonight. thank you. >>> and up next, the loss today of a legend in american music. i put away money. i was 21, so i said, "hmm, i want to retire at 55." and before you know it, i'm 58 years old. time went by very fast. it goes by too, too fast. ♪ but i would do it again in a heartbeat. [ laughs ] ♪ ♪ i took my son fishi